From recent college grads to long-term unemployed, many people are still looking for work. Career expert Terri Carpenter, based in the Sacramento, Calif.-area, offers tips, resources and free advice to job hunters. Here's a sampling of her recent advice:

Q: As a recent college graduate with a bachelor's degree in political science, I have been struggling to find any job or volunteer opportunities related to my major. I have been out of school since mid December and need advice on where to look for job openings of any kind. I have been to job fairs and career seminars, but they haven't helped.

A: A great resource to check out is the American Political Science Association, which provides a jobs section and a list of careers for individuals with political science degrees. The list might prove helpful in locating organizations that focus on hiring political science graduates.

Their website can be found at apsanet.org.

Q:I was terminated from my job recently. When applying online at various companies, I am sometimes asked if I have ever been fired. Obviously, I do not want to lie, but is there a better way to answer this question without shooting myself in the foot?

A: There are many reasons for being terminated from a job. Without knowing the details of your situation, I can suggest a few responses that might be appropriate. For example, you could state that the job ended and your services were no longer needed or you could state that your position was eliminated. You will also need to be able to explain your employment termination in an interview.

Career expert Joyce Laine Kennedy has a great list of 12 responses you can use: "Best Answers to Why Were You Fired?" You can find it on About.com; search for "Why Were You Fired."